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A Standardized Protocol for Preference Testing to Assess Fish Welfare
Published on: February 22, 2020
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MyFishCheck: A Model to Assess Fish Welfare in Aquaculture.
Linda Tschirren1,2, David Bachmann1, Ali Cem Güler1
1Research Group for Aquaculture Systems, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|January 14, 2021
Summary
A new model, MyFishCheck, objectively assesses fish welfare in aquaculture by linking needs to quantifiable parameters. This user-friendly software provides grades for farm management, water quality, behavior, and fish appearance, improving animal welfare standards.
Area of Science:
- Animal Welfare Science
- Aquaculture
- Applied Ethology
Background:
- Assessing animal welfare in husbandry requires translating diverse biological, ethical, ecological, legal, and economic factors into quantifiable parameters.
- Objective welfare assessment methods are notably lacking in the aquaculture sector.
- Developing standardized, reliable methods is crucial for improving fish well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a comprehensive model for assessing fish welfare in aquaculture.
- To create a practical tool that links fundamental welfare needs with measurable parameters.
- To establish a foundation for objective and consistent fish welfare evaluations.
Main Methods:
- An information network (ontology) was created to connect welfare needs with quantifiable parameters.
- Eighty relevant parameters with practicable assessment methods and reliable results were selected.
- A model, MyFishCheck, was developed, incorporating five modules: farm management, water quality, fish group behavior, fish external appearance, and fish internal appearance.
Main Results:
- The MyFishCheck model yields five individual welfare grades: critical, poor, acceptable, and good.
- A user-friendly software application was developed to facilitate the model's implementation.
- The model demonstrates adaptability to various fish species, farming systems, regulations, and purposes.
Conclusions:
- MyFishCheck represents a significant advancement in fish welfare assessment within aquaculture.
- The model provides a standardized, objective approach to evaluating fish well-being.
- Its user-friendly digital format supports continuous improvement in aquaculture industry standards and fish welfare.
